The SPFL are to investigate claims that East Stirlingshire player Jordan Tapping was racially abused.

Last Updated: 03/03/14 5:35pm

The 17-year-old defender was substituted as a result of extreme distress caused by the abuse in the 4-0 defeat at Balmoor Stadium.

Tapping was allegedly subjected to monkey noises from a section of the home fans, and his team-mates Chris Townsley and Graeme McGregor - who complained to the referee - have offered to identify those involved.

A brief SPFL statement released on Monday afternoon read: "The SPFL has this afternoon received and reviewed the referee's match report from the Peterhead v East Stirlingshire game on Saturday, March 1.

"We will now conduct a full investigation into an alleged incident at that fixture and will be speaking to both clubs, match officials and Police Scotland."

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Show Racism The Red Card spokeswoman Vicki Burns conceded racism in Scotland will always be a problem, but with the organisation's continued work she believes progress is being made.

Burns said: "It's very disappointing that this incident happened on Saturday. I think particularly disappointing given the age of the player, just so young, a schoolboy player who is turning out on Saturday at the start of his career.

"It absolutely was a very small minority and one of the things that we were really heartened about, and I know the club themselves and the player, was just the messages of support that we had from Peterhead fans, East Stirlingshire fans, and then fans from all over the country of all football teams.

"First and foremost Scottish fans do not want to see these kind of incidents happening in their game and they've made that stance. I think secondly, what we're really heartened with today, is that the two clubs concerned, particularly Peterhead FC, have said they want to do something to get that message out.

"We've had great support over the last 10 years in Scotland, from both Peterhead and East Stirlingshire, and clubs more generally in Scotland to make sure racism is being stamped out.

"We absolutely can't reach all football fans, all members of the community, so we really hope that by educating we get that message out further."